The Awards of Excellence Program at the Pennsylvania FBLA State Leadership Conference (SLC) is a night many PA FBLA members wait for each year. With schools closed around the state members began to wonder if this night would ever happen.
On Friday, May 15, it did happen! The top 10 awards in competitive events and the PA FBLA State Officer Team for the 2020-2021 school year were announced virtually on the PA FBLA website. Trading their suits and dress for sweatpants and tee shirts, and the jumbo screens and large meeting hall for a computer screen and a couch in their living room, FBLA members from around the state were able to “attend” the Pennsylvania FBLA State Leadership Conference this year.
“The Awards Program was a shining light in what has been a really weird past two months. Seeing Pennsylvania FBLA come together as a membership, it spread a feeling of positivity we hadn’t felt in months. I am so proud of Western Wayne FBLA for still succeeding no matter the circumstances.” Western Wayne FBLA Chapter President and outgoing PA FBLA First Vice President, Ezra Tetreault said.
“We work extremely hard all year to experience the exhilaration of hearing our names called in front of 5,000 in Hershey. We have built a FBLA legacy here. It began way before my time and I am confident the classes down the road will keep pushing it forward. Winning is the culture and it was writing on the wall in 2020.” Said Tetreault.
Twenty-two of the forty members that competed at the SLC placed in the top 10 in their competitive events. Western Wayne FBLA swept 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in three individual events. In Accounting I, Lacey Falloon placed 1st, Alex Hineline placed 2nd, and Celeste Orchard placed 3rd. Rach Hoch placed 1st, Kaeil Romanowski placed 2nd and Abby Kapschull placed 3rd in Introduction to FBLA. In Introduction to Parliamentary Procedure, Gabby Tetreault was the 1st place winner, Rachel Tuman was 2nd and Ashton Fitzsimmons was 3rd. Also, in individual events, Adelaide Treibley placed 8th in Impromptu Speaking.
Four teams also placed in the top 10. James Fryzel and Caden Slifko captured 8th placed in Emerging Business Issues. Skylar Long and Ella Pavlovich placed 5th in Introduction to Business Presentation. The team of Landon Firmstone, Julia Lamberton, and Collin Murry placed 3rd in Entrepreneurship. The Parliamentary Procedure team of Darlene Black, Lenny Maiocco, Kate Mattern, Lena Piccolino and Sydney Peet had a 1st place win.
Additional awards included an 8th and 3rd place win for Sydney Peet and Ezra Tetreault in Who’s Who in PA FBLA. Western Wayne FBLA received 8th place in Outstanding Chapter and 10th place in Local Market Share. Darlene Black, Sydney Peet, and Ezra Tetreault each received a William Seldon scholarship ranging from $250 to $750.
Lenny Maiocco was selected as the Pennsylvania FBLA State Parliamentarian for the 2020-2021 school year. The parliamentarian in not an elected position, the candidate with the highest score on the Parliamentary Procedure test is appointed to the position.
“Even though the Awards Ceremony was not what it usually is, it was really great to see how well everyone did,” Lenny Maiocco said. “It is easy to just say that I am not going to do anything because the State Leadership Conference was cancelled, but Western Wayne really excelled and the hard work that everyone put in paid off.”
The competition is not over yet. The FBLA members that placed in the top 4 in their respective events will have the opportunity to compete at the national level. FBLA will be hosting a virtual National Leadership Experience this year to members to engage in this June.
Caption: Pictured is Lenny Maiocco who was selected as the Pennsylvania FBLA State Parliamentarian for the 2020-2021 school year. The parliamentarian is not an elected position, the candidate with the highest score on the Parliamentary Procedure test is appointed to the position.
The Western Wayne School District is pleased to announce plans for celebrating the Class of 2020 Graduation ceremony and activities. Please see the letter below with the official announcement. More information and specific instructions for graduating seniors and their families will be provided in the coming days. Again, we thank you for your patience and your understanding throughout this process.
Wednesday, May 20, 3:15 p.m. Interested students who will be in grades 8 through 12 next year should email Mrs. McLaughlin at jmclaughlin@westernwayne.org for more information prior to the meeting.
We perform with the Marching Band along with participating in various trips and events throughout the school year. We are looking to recruit new members for this coming school year and hope to see you at our meet. Remember to email jmclaughlin@westernwayne.org prior to May 20 to get more information on this meeting.
By Eleanor Black, Western Wayne freshman. Eleanor Black is a freshman attending WWHS. She’s active in FBLA, student council, track, and soccer.
As the school year dwindles to a close, high school seniors begin to file the first of their college applications. Several have their hearts set on the school of their dreams, picturing themselves walking across campus. For Western Wayne student Abby Black, this childhood dream became reality.
As a hesitant freshman, Abby was easily persuaded to join fashion. With a driving passion and a nervous heart, she did not know what to expect. “I didn’t even know how to sew properly,” she said with a laugh. Gaining some confidence, Abby volunteered to model in the yearly Catwalk held by the fashion department. She was filled with anxiety. Though, when stepping on stage, her fear dissolved, and a realization hit; this is where she belonged.
In her sophomore year, Abby brought the Catwalk to the public. She hosted the event to raise awareness and bring appreciation to the school’s fashion department. The community show gave acknowledgement to designers and allowed for them to proudly express their creations. It was a charity event, for all proceeds went to the food pantry in Honesdale. “It was stressful,” Abby admits.” But I still had a lot of fun.”
Throughout her high school career, Abby’s love for fashion only grew. She continued to design and create while taking inspiration from current trends and media, watching her sketches take life. “I love conceptualizing and portraying an importance message through fashion,” Abby said.
Wanting to pursue her dream, Abby applied to the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). The school’s selectiveness in design only pressed her to work harder. “I felt my work didn’t compare to the number of students who also wanted it,” Abby disclosed. Yet, despite these worries, Abby continued to perfect her portfolio, only wanting to exhibit her best work. “It was nerve-wracking because they don’t accept everyone,” she confesses. However, the days of hard labor worked! Upon getting her acceptance letter, Abby burst into tears, relieved. “It didn’t feel real.”
Abby will still go off to the college of her dreams but is stripped of her senior catwalk. The show, like other culminating events, is cancelled due to the closure of school amid the statewide COVID-19 shutdowns. Abby is saddened about the catwalk being cancelled. “I’ve looked forward to it every year,” she said. It’s understandably difficult for senior designers like her not to have this final moment to showcase their accomplishments. Abby was looking forward all year to creating the exciting stage she’s spent years planning and also to enjoying friendly competition with her peers. “I was excited about being the head designer and it is upsetting I won’t get that experience,” Abby said.
Still, despite a rough year to the school year, Abby plans to continue driving forward and eventually, make a name for herself in the fashion world.
Western Wayne High School sophomore Hudson Malinowski was accepted to PMEA All-State Concert Band via online audition. Although the festival won’t take place physically, she will still receive the honors from the state. In addition, she had one of the top six highest scores of students in the region. She now qualifies to audition for the All-Eastern Festival which will take place in Spring 2021.
PLEASE review the attached letter regarding paying for AP exams this year.
Here is a link to the AP Testing Guide 2020. It is VERY important you are familiar with the information listed in this guide. There are tasks you must complete prior to taking an exam this year. https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/pdf/ap-testing-guide-2020.pdf
Congratulations to sophomore Hudson Malinowski who was accepted to PMEA All-State Concert Band via online audition. Although the festival won’t take place physically, she will still receive the honors from the state. In addition, she had one of the top six highest scores of students in the region. She now qualifies to audition for the All-Eastern Festival which will take place in Spring 2021.
Pictured is the cast of Western Wayne School District’s Once Upon a Mattress. From left, row one, seated: Angelina Tornillo, Brenna McGlone, Rebeccah King, Adriana Barcarola, Julia Phillps, Becca Boots, and Ava Compton. From left, row two, standing: Jenna Frable, Lilly Morcom, Gavin Toy, Brandon Davis, Nate Conway, Anthony Martin, Juliana Kurent, and Ashley Marsh. From left, third row, standing: Chanya Graham, Larissa Ellsworth, Joanna Regalbuto, Amanda David, Karina Booths, Haley Strocchia, Alyssa Donnini, and Mrs. Jessica McLaughlin, director. From fourth row, standing: Alex Fullone, Cassia Sheehan, Lily Visceglia, Andie Solimine, Honour Shaffer, Sydney Peet, Alex Taylor, and Rhonda Fenkner. Absent from photo: Joseph McNeill and Jacob Jones.
Western Wayne Musical Drama Club students had the opportunity to perform pieces from their 2020 musical Once Upon a Mattress at Western Wayne RDW’s Read Across America Night on Thursday, March 5. The Drama Club presentation was one of a variety of experiences available for the children that evening.
The students entertained children and their families with a few scenes. Senior Honour Shaffer served as Master of Ceremonies for the event and also plays lead role Prince Dauntless the Drab.
The musical Once Upon a Mattress is a retelling of the classic tale of the princess and the pea. However, in the musical version, there is much humor added to the tale revolving around how Queen Aggravain has set a decree in the kingdom that no one will wed until her son Prince Dauntless does.
The catch is that the Queen does not wish her son to marry and will stop at nothing to come up with impossible tests for each princess suing for his hand in marriage. However, throughout the course of the musical, the unique Princess Winnifred the Woebegone, played by senior Andie Solimine, proves she is more than ready to pass the Queen’s test.
At Read Across America Night, the cast first previewed the Prologue scene with the musical number “Many Moons Ago” sung by Cassia Sheehan, minstrel. In “Many Moons Ago,” the minstrel tells a beautiful rendition of the princess and the pea tale. Ava Compton, prologue queen; Haley Strocchia, prologue princess; and Gavin Toy, prologue prince, reenacted the minstrel’s song in a ballet for the audience.
Next, Alex Taylor, Sir Harry, and Rhonda Fenkner, Lady Larken, performed “In a Little While.” Harry and Larken dream of getting married and starting a family, but have to wait for Dauntless to find a bride first. Harry vows to Larken that he will help to find the perfect princess for Dauntless, so that then they may be married.
The crowd was then entertained by the song “The Minstrel, The Jester And I” performed by Cassia Sheehan, minstrel; Lily Visceglia, jester; and senior Joseph McNeill, the king. In the song, the group reflects on some fond memories they have had together getting into a variety of mischief. Their song is told in a unique way because only the Minstrel and Jester can speak. The King has lost his voice due to a curse, but he pantomimes his thoughts in this song and throughout the show in a very comical way.
The fourth number performed for the RDW audience, was “Sensitivity” by Senior Sydney Peet who plays Queen Aggravain and her trusty side-kick the Wizard played by Alex Fullone. In the song, the Queen comes up with the plan to test Princess Winnifred for sensitivity by placing a pea under twenty mattresses. Sydney and Alex bantered about their plan throughout the song to entertain the audience.
The audience was also treated to the musical number “Normandy.” In this piece, Larken, Minstrel, Jester, and King returned to the stage. Larken is trying to flee from the kingdom alone. Her friends the Minstrel, Jester, and King offer her assistance to get to Normandy where she can be safe and taken care of.
Finally, the cast performed “The Swamps of Home.” In this comical piece, Fred tells Dauntless and her ladies in waiting played by Julia Phillips, Amanda David, Haley Strocchia, Adriana Barcarola, Alyssa Donnini, Joanna Regalbuto, Karina Booths, and Ava Compton, about what it was like to grow up in a swamp kingdom. At first, the group is unsure of their opinions on Fred, but as the song continues the ladies, Dauntless, and the audience fall in love with Fred and her quirky ways.
The crowd enjoyed the musical preview at the Annual Read Across America Night, and the Western Wayne Drama Club is grateful to RDW for inviting them to perform at this annual event for the past several years. The directors of the show are very proud of the entire cast, crew, and pit band of Once Upon A Mattress and especially wish to acknowledge the years served in drama club and future plans of senior members. Senior Dakota Beavers, Senior Head Stage Crew/Lights, has been a member of drama club for three years. After graduation, Dakota is considering college, and would like to work in music or theater production. Senior Brandon Davis, knight, has been in drama club for three years. Upon graduation, Brandon plans to attend Johnson College for carpentry.
Senior Victoria Davis, stage crew, has been on crew for one year but has also assisted in set production for other Western Wayne plays. After graduation, Victoria plans to become a dog trainer at Star Mark in Texas. Senior Allison King, Senior Head Stage Crew, has been a five-year drama club, stage crew member. After graduation, Ally plans to begin her own photography business.
Senior Rebeccah King, ensemble, has been a five-year drama club member, serving as the club’s historian for three years. Upon graduation, Becca has plans to study massage therapy.
Senior Joseph McNeill, who plays the King, came to Western Wayne this year. This is Joseph’s second time playing The King in Once Upon a Mattress, having also played this role at his previous school. After graduation, Joseph would like to enter the Air Force and then plans to enter a law enforcement program to become a game warden.
Senior Abygaile Milewski, stage crew, is a two-year drama club member. After graduation, Abygaile will attend Wilkes University and study communications.
Senior Andrew Oudshoorn, pit band, trumpet, has been in the pit for two years among many other band accomplishments and positions. After high school, Andrew has been accepted to Penn State Scranton for their undergraduate pre-med program.
Senior Sydney Peet, the Queen, is in her third year in drama club, currently serving as the club’s president. After high school, Sydney plans to major in economics in college.
Senior Honour Shaffer, Dauntless the Drab, is in his fourth year in drama club. He serves as the vice president of the club. Upon graduation, Honour plans to join the United States Coast Guard Reserves.
Senior Andie Solimine, Winnifred, has been acting since the third grade. Andie came to Western Wayne as a sophomore and has been in drama club ever since. Andie is planning to pursue a degree in music education at Marywood University.
Senior Nathan Taggart, pit band, trumpet, has been in the pit band for four years among many other band accomplishments and positions. Upon graduation, Nathan will attend Penn State University Park for chemical engineering.
Senior Brad Wood, pit band, trumpet ¬, is a first year pit band member, although he has been in band throughout high school and has many music accomplishments. After graduation, Brad plans to attend Mansfield University to pursue a bachelors’ degree in history, with a goal of earning a Ph.D. in history.
The directors of the Western Wayne Musical Drama Club are proud of the performance done by cast members at RDW as well as the many accomplishments of all of their students, especially the seniors, and would like to thank the district and community for their continued and consistent support of performance arts.
Pictured is the cast of Western Wayne School District’s Once Upon a Mattress. From left, row one, seated: Angelina Tornillo, Brenna McGlone, Rebeccah King, Adriana Barcarola, Julia Phillps, Becca Boots, and Ava Compton. From left, row two, standing: Jenna Frable, Lilly Morcom, Gavin Toy, Brandon Davis, Nate Conway, Anthony Martin, Juliana Kurent, and Ashley Marsh. From left, third row, standing: Chanya Graham, Larissa Ellsworth, Joanna Regalbuto, Amanda David, Karina Booths, Haley Strocchia, Alyssa Donnini, and Mrs. Jessica McLaughlin, director. From fourth row, standing: Alex Fullone, Cassia Sheehan, Lily Visceglia, Andie Solimine, Honour Shaffer, Sydney Peet, Alex Taylor, and Rhonda Fenkner. Absent from photo: Joseph McNeill and Jacob Jones.From left, first row: Allison King, Emily Brophy, Abygaile Milewski, Abby Lopez, and Hailey Robbins. From left, second row: Ash Mangieri, Damon Martzen, Jonatan Stanley, Nate McCollum, and Logan Smith. Absent from photo: Taylor Altenhofen, Jake Beavers, Olivia McCue, Estevan Mendoza, Darrell Schramm, Kiersten McDonald, Jocilyn Brungard, Asia Mendoza, and Olivianna Dendy.Seniors Honour Shaffer and Andie Solimine play lead roles Prince Dauntless the Drab and Princess Winnifred the Woebegone in Once Upon a Mattress. During this scene, Winnifred studies for a test that Dauntless’ overbearing mother wants her to fail. Dauntless offers Winnifred encouragement that she will indeed pass and be his bride one day.From left: Lily Visceglia, jester; Honour Shaffer; Prince Dauntless; and Andie Solimine, Princess Winnifred. In this moment, the Jester gives the shy Dauntless a push in the right direction to interact with Princess Winnifred who could be his future wife.From left: Lily Visceglia, jester; Rhonda Fenkner, Larke;, and Cassia Sheehan, minstrel. At this point, Lady Larken wants to leave the Kingdom because she fears she will never be able to marry Sir Harry. The Jester, Minstrel, and King try to convince her to not leave alone. They promise to help her get to Normandy where she will be taken care of.Sir Harry played by Alex Taylor and Lady Larken played by Rhonda Fenkner. Harry and Larken dream of getting married and starting a life together after Princess Winnifred passes Queen Aggravain’s test. The Queen will not allow anyone in the Kingdom to be married until her son is. Harry and Larken pose by lattice panels that they dance amongst in the number “Yesterday I loved You.”From left: Cassia Sheehan, minstrel; Alex Fullone, wizard; and Lily Visceglia, jester. The Minstrel and Wizard engage in an elaborate handshake ritual because they both belong to the same performers’ guild that their fathers once belonged to as well. The Jester looks on pleased that the two are getting along.From left: Ava Compton, prologue queen; Haley Strocchia, prologue princess; Gavin Toy, prologue prince; and Cassia Sheehan, minstrel. During the Prologue, the Minstrel sings the story of the Princess and the Pea while the dancers act it out in a beautiful ballet. However, the Minstrel tells the audience that the actual story in the play is not as pretty but still highly interesting to hear.Queen Aggravain Sydney Peet and Prince Dauntless Honour Shaffer. The brash Queen scolds her son throughout the play. She very much wants to be in charge of his life and will do anything to make sure he does not find a suitable princess to marry. In this scene, the Queen delivers an elaborate monologue in which she gives Dauntless a lot of advice.Wizard Alex Fullone and Queen Sydney Peet pose in the musical number “Sensitivity.” The Queen during this song must come up with a seemingly fair test for Princess Winnifred. She decides to test Fred for sensitivity by placing a pea under twenty mattresses. The Wizard, of course, agrees and wants to help his Queen achieve her goal.From left: Brandon Davis, Gavin Toy, Andie Solimine, Nate Conway, and Anthony Martin. In this photo, knights pose around Princess Winnifred who has just swam the moat to get to the castle to meet Prince Dauntless because she was very anxious to meet him. Winnifred is like no princess the kingdom has ever seen.From left: Gavin Toy, jester’s father; and Lily Visceglia, jester, pose in the musical number “Soft Shoes.” During the song, the Jester remembers how her father would entertain the court and dreams of following in his footsteps. The two dance a tap number together in a dream-like sequence with many fun props including canes and a never-ending handkerchief.From left, row one: Honour Shaffer. From left, row two: Julia Phillips, Andie Solimine, and Amanda David. From left, row three: Haley Strocchia, Adriana Barcarola, Alyssa Donnini, Joanna Regalbuto, Karina Booths, and Ava Compton. During the song “The Swamps of Home,” Fred tells the story of her life in a kingdom that is within a swamp. In the picture, they all listen for sounds of the swamp after Fred has thrown Dauntless to the ground to hear it. The number is quite comical.
ALL NEWS
Curriculum Night – January 29, 2025 – 6:00-8:00 PMJanuary 10, 2025Curriculum Night will be held Wednesday, January 29, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00. Administration, Guidance and the Department Heads will go over the curriculum, graduation requirements and the scheduling process. [...]
Western Wayne School District Job OpportunitiesJanuary 2, 2025We are currently looking for a food service team member.Part-time (5 hours per day) 9 am-2 pm. Rate $14.00 per hour
Great jobs when you have students in the district…you work when they are in school.
Please reach out for more info to: Maria Liptak, RD Food Service Directormliptak@westernwayne.orgor call 1-800-321-9973 option 1
Applicants must be in compliance with Acts 34/151/114 GuidelinesWestern Wayne School District is an EOE school district [...]
Scholarships & Career Opportunities – January EditionJanuary 2, 2025The January edition of Scholarships & Career Opportunities is now available. All grades should read this document to get information on college, careers, important dates, SAT/ACT exams and of course…scholarships!
Click here: https://ww3.westernwayne.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Scholarships-and-Career-Opportunities-January-2025.pdf [...]
Western Wayne Participates in FBLA Regional ConferenceJanuary 2, 2025Wester Wayne FBLA members attended the Regional Leadership Workshop held at Woodloch Resorts this past December and had a great experience learning at and participating in this event. Back row, from left: Khloe Mistishin, Cameron Press, Jared Goldman, and Madelyn Vinton. Front row, from left: Phoebe Schmitt, Olivia Gries, Ms. Brooke Hochreither, Western Wayne FBLA adviser; Colette Schmitt, and Madelyn McClure. [...]
Alumni Participate in Winter ConcertJanuary 2, 2025This December 13th the Western Wayne High School Band and Chorus held their annual holiday concert. The night opened with the High School Chorus under the direction of Mr. Taber Starnes singing a variety of holiday songs. Then the High School Band performed under the direction of Mrs. Elaine Ort and entertained the audience with many holiday classics. As an added treat, the closing numbers of the show included band and chorus alumni who were invited to the stage and welcomed to join the current students in making music. This tradition started a few years ago to honor the Western Wayne School District’s 50th Anniversary, and it was so popular that alumni look forward to it each year. The current students and alumni loved making music together and can’t wait to do it again next year. The High School Chorus, Band, and Western Wayne music programs alumni wish the community the happiest of holidays this season!
Row Four, back, alumni in attendance, from left: Hope Jezorwski, class of 1997; Connor Michaud,; class of 2024; Caden Wilson, class of 2024; Joey Regalbuto, class of 2024; Logan Jerzorski, class of 2024; Seth Lamberton, class of 2018; and Damon Martzen, class of 2020. Row Three: Phil Erb, class of 2001; Mason Coccodrilli, class of 2018; and Thomas Roberts, class of 2017. Row Two: Candice Zeiler, WW alumni; Alecks Fullone, class of 2022; Amanda David, class of 2023; Jennifer Hall, class of 2023; Kristin Shandor, class of 2015; Noah Shandor, class of 2015; and Kat Moore, class of 2019. Row One: Kathy Schaffer, class of 1974; Erica Arre, class of 2003; Becky Rinella, WW band parent; Mrs. Elaine Ort, band director; Tyler Velez, class of 2018; and Alana Lamberton, class of 2022. [...]
Safe2Say Something is a youth violence prevention
program run by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.
The program teaches youth and adults how to recognize
warning signs and signals, especially within social media,
from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others
and to “say something” BEFORE it is too late.